Expansion joint



May 12, 1936. w. H. EICHELMAN ET AL 2,040,357

- EXPANSION JOINT Filed Sept. 7, 1933 2 Sheets-Shee t 1 May 12, 1936.

w. H. EICHELMAN ET AL EXPANS ION JOINT Filed Sept. 7, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 12, 1936 UNITED ,STATES "PATaNTY-oFl-fica, "2,040,367 4 William H. Eichelman, Des Plains, and Eric E.

Hall, Chicago, Ill..;, Hall asaignor to said Eichelman Application September-'7, 1933, Serial No. 888,446 Claims. (01.91-18) Our present invention relates to improvements in expansion joints, such as shown and described in our co-pending applications, relating to this, subject, filed August 12, 1932, Serial No. 628,576, and which has matured into United States Letters Patent No. 1,958,391,,issued May 8, 1934, and

United States Letters Patent No; 1,978,305, issued October '23, 1934, and filed February 23, 1933, Serial No. 657,978; May 8, 1933, Serial No. 669,814; and May 19, 1933, Serial No. 671,896; and

l is for use with monolithic concrete construction,

precast slabs and the like, and likewise has for its paramount object, the provision of an expansion joint, which, when placed between adjacent slabs will compensate for the relative opposed lateral movements of the adjoining slabs and still effectively join and allow the independent and relative vertical movement of the slabs, sealing the space between the slabs against the possible entrance of foreign matter such as water, ice or l In the applications above referred to we have disclosed means employing a seal combined with a support or stool, the latter being constructed to effect a compressible space below the seal betensions or anchors which are respectively imbedded in adjacent concrete sections; the seal itself extendingbetween the adjacent faces of the slabs and being flexible to accommodae for rela tive movement of the slabs,- the seal being protected by a compressible filler.

It is now our object to construct the stool to insure and provide suflicient strength therein to withstand the weight of the concrete during pouring of the concrete and positively maintain the required compressible space between adjacent road sections, and, in addition retain the. seal against collapse, thus insuring proper, application of the latter to the road and proper functioning thereof after application.

It is an object of this'invention to provide-a stool structure capable of accomplishing the above advantages, and which may be bent or flexed into conformity with the outline or contour of the crown of the road.

In addition, it is an object of this invention to secure the seal to the stool so that a unitary structure is provided in which the seeming means provides reinforcement against collapse of the seal prior to and during pouring of the. road, yet will allow flexing of the seal and collapse of the stool upon expansion-of the road sections. and, in adtions after collapse of the stool without impairing the effectiveness of the seal. Y a 4 A further object of the invention is to provide H a compressible filler, as a cap for the seal, which may act as a screed and, in addition, provide 5 means to close the space above the seal and between the adjacent ends of the concrete road sections, the filler being premolded and shaped to lock or key the latter to the road sections against accidental displacement, and to protect and accept a part of the element providing theseal.

It is another object of the invention to provide a joint structure capable of accomplishing the above and other objects; and further, to combine 15 therewith means for suppo ing this structure relatively to the road bed, ce ain elements of the supporting structure functioning to transmit and distribute the live load from one mid section to I another, and in addition, allowing for the relative 20 linear movements of the road section due to temperatur'e changes, this structure being capable. of fabrication prior to its being placed in position tofunction as a part of the road structure.

Having the foregoing objects in mind, and 25 others as will be more specifically pointed out in the following specifications and appended claims, we have illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. Us a perspective view of a section of a-ioint constructed according to one embodiment of our invention;

Fi 2 is a sectional-view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the elements shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a joint section having the means associated-therewith for transmitting road loads from one road section to another; V L

Figs; 6, 7, 8 showmodifled arrangements of certain elements illustrated in Fig. 5; and, Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

The joint structure contemplates the utilization of a stool I'll, seal l I, and a compressible member l2. v, 50 The element forming the stool I0 is of sheet material and formed to provide aboxlike structure having a bottom wall l3, 9. top wall l4 and side walls respectively designated l5 and I6. This last mentioned; structure provides a ulkhead displacement relatively to the stool through the agency of a plurality of clips or keys respectively dwignated; l8-|8, which are passed through openings l9-l9 formed in the side walls l5and [6 of the stool. These keys or clips extend a suitable distance beyond the side walls l5 and it of the stool to thus provide support for the flanges of the seal, hereinafter to be referred to.

The seal generally designated ii is formed of" a strip of copper or other flexible material and is bent longitudinally as indicated at 2| to thus form the side walls respectively designated 22 and 23, the. latter of which terminate in longitudinally extending i langes 24 and 25 having the apertures formed therein.

The flanges 24 and are designed to be imbedded in the concrete to key the seal with the respective sections of the roadway.

Manifestly, as the concrete is poured it will pass through the apertures 20 and thus form a connection between'the respective roadway sections andthe seal. The keys or clips I8 are, as before stated, located with respect to the flanges 24 and 25- of the seal so as to act to support these flanges at intervals of the length of said flanges. These keys have their opposite ends bent into "engagement with an edge of the apertures 20 to thus securely lock the seal during installation and prior to the pouring of the concrete. I

The compressible member I2 is formed of suitable material, preferably of a bituminous character, which will yield upon compression or when a force is being applied thereto, and thus successfully seal the joint and prevent the entrance of water or other foreign matter between the joint and the ends of adjacent concrete road sections.

' This compressible member l2 has its under surface formed to provide a longitudinally extending groove 26, which is provided for the receipt of the bend 2| of the seal and the walls respectively designated 2223 of the seal generally designated II. This compressible member l2is preferably tapered in cross section, it being wider at its base, to thus cooperate with the respective and adjacent roadway sections to key or secure same against accidental removal from between these sections.

The stool generally designated III is formed of relatively thin gauge stock, of a strength, however, suflicient to withstand the weight of the concrete during the pouring operation, yet will collapse upon expansion of the concrete sections, leaving the seal only in a functionally operative condition. The upper end of the stool is inserted into the space between the walls 22 and 23 of the seal and it 'will be noted that the upper wall of the stool extends between the side walls 22 and 23 of the seal and thus will reinforce the seal against collapse during the pouring operation. Further, the seal 12 is provided with longitudinally extending shoulders 21 and 2i! which 2 rest upon the corners formed at the juncture of the upper wall l4 and the side walls I! and I of the stool.

By referring to Figure 2 it wil be noted that the kys generally designated l8 hold the side walls 22 and 23 of the seal in a distended condition, and since the key is passed through apertures such as H formed in the stool, and not secured in any manner thereto, the side walls of the stool may be compressed by expansion of the roadway sections 29 and 30 into the space I! caus ing distortion of the stool, and the lower end of the seal per se thereafter allowing the seal to function and move with the roadway sections upon expansion and contraction thereof, independent of thestool.

The lower wall l3 of the stool is formed with a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending ribs respectively designated 3iv and 32 against which the walls l5 and I6 of the stool abut, and

.are reinforced thereby against'collapse.

provided with a series of openings 36 which are formed in the walls at intervals throughout the length of the stool and are provided for the reception of a threaded thimble 31, which is employed to accommodate a dowel or shear bar, such as that designated 38, and in addition hold the walls l5 and IS in spaced relation to each other during the pouring of the concrete. These thimbles alternately projectfromthe side walls l5 and ll; of the stool.

The opposite ends of the dowel or shear bars 33 are imbedded'in one or the other of the road Iat 40, which lips are providedvto form means which is passed through the apertures 20 in the respective flanges 24 and 25 of the seal and are then bent thereon to thus connect the key with the seal. The keys l8 may, if so desired, be constructed to provide for extension thereof to thus allow the keys to be distended a required distance to compensate for contraction of the road sections occurring during the setting of the concrete. To accomplish this last mentioned advantage, the material of the key may be bent upon itself, as indicated at 4|, which will allow the key to be distended, yet will ofler resistance to collapse of the seal per se during the pouring of the'concrete. i

' From the foregoing description of the joint structure it is obvious that the stool is formed at its upper end to provide means for reinforcing the seal to thus prevent distortion or collapse of the seal during the pouring operation.

It is further to be understood that we employ the keys l3, not to assist in preventing the occurrence of collapse of the stool during the pouring operation, but to prevent separation of the stool and the seal, and thus produce a unitary structure which may be fabricated at the shop and sent to the job in an assembled condition.

Since the upper and lower walls of the stool, l3 and I4, are formed of a material which is of a ductile character,- it is evident that after the initial setting of the concrete and the subsequent compression of the side walls of the stool, that this stool portion of. the structure is ren-" dered ineffective to function as a stool, thus causing the seal to be thereafter supported wholly by the respective concrete or roadway sections. I It is also evident that since the cross-sectional contour of the compressible member is tapered or wedge-shaped, with the larger dimension as its base, this construction will provide means for keying the compressible member between the respective roadway sections such as those designated 29-30.

- Since the entire joint structure is formed of relatively thin gauged material, and keyed together as above described, the joint as a unit may be readily sprung to an arch and into conformance with the arch of the crown of the roadway.

It is believed patent that the construction of the seal provides, means which will readily compensate for contraction and expansion of the roadway sections and effectively prevent dirt and other foreign substances from finding their way between the respective roadway sections, and thus will at all times maintain the necessary space between the roadway sections to allow for expansion of the latter.

In Fig. 9 is illustrated the manner in which the joint-per se, the dowel bars or shear bars and certain load transference bars are arranged and supported prior to the pouring operation. The structure illustrated may be assembled and then placed in position upon the road grade, which will materially assist in speeding up the laying of the road. This structure involves the use of the stool ID, the seal Ii and the compressible member l2, the latter of which is secured in any suitable manner with these last mentioned elements so as to provide a unit comprised of 'these elements.

A threaded nipple 42 is employed which substantially corresponds with the thimble illustrated in Fig. 2, however, differs from the thimble structure shown in Fig. 2 in that the nipple 42 is of a tubular character and thus will allow the dowel socket 43 to be threadedly connected with the thimble 42 and allow the dowel bar 45 to enter the dowel socket 43. This dowel socket 43 has one end thereof flattened and bent to provide an anchor 44, which, as illustrated, is driven into the ground or grade surface to assist in supporting the joint per se in proper relation to the road bed.

The dowel bar 45 is inserted into the dowel socket to thus support one end thereof, the opposite end of the dowel bar may be supportedby an anchor such as 45, which is also driven into the. ground to further assist in supporting the joint in lace.

p Stakes such as those designated and 48 are passed through certain of the apertures 20 formed in the flanges 24 and of the seal and are thence driven into the ground or grade to further assist in rigidly supporting the structure against displacement during the pouring operation.

The use of load distributing bars such as 49 and 50 is also contemplated, which may be wired or otherwise secured to the dowel bars. These load distributing bars may be arranged relatively to the dowel or shear bars such as 45 and the sockets 43 in the manner shown in Fig. 6 or may be arranged in a woven relation, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

The structure involving all of the last mentioned elements may, as before stated, be fabricated prior to its application to the road grade, which manifestly will materially increase the speed at which the road may be completed.

The load distributing bars designated 49 and 50 engage the dowels 45 and, therefore, distribute the load laterally from the dowel bars to the slab or roadway section, the load applied by the dowel bars at the point of bearing being distributed by shear to the distributing bars by direct transference of the load to the slab through the agency of the distributing bars. v

From the foregoing description it is believed apparent that the upper wall 14 of the stool and the keys l8 function in a manner to prevent collapse of the seal H, yet will, upon expansion of the road sections, be compressed and thus transfer support of the seal'll from the stool to the respective road sections, such as those designated 29' and 30. It is also believed evident that the shape of the compressible member will cause it to be keyed between the road sections and thus prevent same from becoming displaced with relation to the road sections and other elements of the structure.

It is also patent that the structure illustrated in Fig. 9 provides a means whereby all of the elements illustrated in this figure may be fabricated or assembled with each other and then placed in position relative to the road grade and be held in place against displacement during the pouring operation: the structure providing means for transferring and distributing the road load from the dowel bars to the adjacent concrete roadway sections, and further providing means preventing the premature distortion of the joint itself, thus providing a rigid structure capable of being more conveniently handled, and which in addition will assist in maintaining the walls of the joint in spaced relation during the pouring operation and the initial setting up of the concrete.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim and desire to cover by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the kind described the combination of'a flexible seal having means for connecting adjacent ends of monolithic sections and sealing a space located between said sections, and a support for said seal, said seal being comprised of a piece of material bent to form an inverted V-shaped portion having flanges extending laterally from said V-shaped portion, said support havingv spaced side wallsand, a connecting wall located at the upper edges of said side walls, said connecting 'vall being located betweenthe walls of the V-shaped portion and providing both means for preventing flexing of said seal, and

means for supporting said seal.

2. An expansion joint for concrete roads and the like comprised of a flexible sealing member for sealing adjacent monolithic sections and a stool providing a'support for said seal, said last mentioned member being compressible and having side walls and a top wall, the top wall formed of ductile material providingmeans for preventing flexing of said seal and maintaining the seal distended, and a distendable key for securing said seal'to said stool, said key passing through-apertures in the side walls of the support and affixed to said seal beyond the confines of said support.

3. An expansion jointfor concrete roads and the like comprising a flexible seal for closing the for reinforcing said sealing member against premature collapse.

4.- An expansion joint for concrete roads and the like comprising the combination of a member providing a seal, a. support for said seal,. a key for anchoring said support to the seal, said support being apertured for and said'key being distendable relatively support.

reception of said key, to said 5. An expaiision'joint for concrete roads and the like comprising a box-like stool, a flexible seal supported upon one wall thereof, said wall of said stool extending acres the space between the opposite walls of said stool and positioned within the seal between the upper and lower confines of said'seal and reinforcing said seal against premature collapse during the setting of the joint and the pouring of the concrete.

6. In a device of the kind described the combination of a seal having a flexible portion and a stool therefor, said stool being comprised of spaced side walls, the seal being mounted upon one edge of said side walls and having the flexible portion thereof arranged above and across the space between said side walls, and independent means carried by said stool resisting the ex-- tension of the flexible portion of said seal created by the relative spreading movement of said side walls of said support.

'I. In a" device of the kind described the combination of a flexible sealing element and a support therefor, said support having spaced side walls and a continuous connecting wall maintaining said sidewalls in spaced relation to each other, said sealing element being mounted upon and supported by said connecting wall. and said con-- necting wall of said supp rt being located with respect to saidsealing element to restrict the flexing of the sealing element.

8. A sealing member consisting of a plastic body adapted to be located between spaced slab sec-.

tions, resilient means for maintaining said plastic body in engagement with the slab sections, an-,

chors connecting the resilient means with the slab sections to cause movement of the plastic body with the slab sections, said plastic body being formed to extend over the top and down along the sides of said resilient means, and ,the faces of the outer walls of the plastic body being inclined outwardly and downwardly to form diverging walls spaced wider at the base than at the top to form;a key in the fluid concrete which when set'prevents the accidental removal of the plastic body from the space intervening between the adjoining slabs.

9. A sealing member consisting of a plastic body adapted to be located between spaced slab sections, resilient means for maintaining said plastic body in engagement with the slab sections, anchors connecting the resilient means with the slab sections to cause movement of the plastic body with the slab sections, said plastic body being formed to extend vover the top and down along the sides of. said resilient means, the base of said plastic body being from said anchors ,to receive and seal 'that potion of the slab section introduced into said space, and the faces of the outer walls 01 the paztic body being inclined outwardly and downwardly to form diverging walls spaced wider at the base than at the top to form a key in the fluid concrete which when set prevents the accidental removal cf the plastic body from the space intervening between the adjoining slabs.

10. A sealing member consisting of a plastic body adapted to be located between spaced slab sections, resilient means for maintaining sald' plastic body in engagement with the slab sections, said plastic body being formed to extend over the top anddown along the sides of said resilient means, and the faces of the outer walls of the plastic body being inclined outwardly and downwardly to form a key in the fluid concrete which when set preyents the accidental removal oi the plastic body from the space intervening between the adjoining slabs.

" ERIC E. HALL.

WILLIAM H. EICHELMAN. 

